SEC Country’s Top Tennessee Prospect of the Week

Mecole Hardman, Jr.’s dynamic performance Friday earned him the designation of being named SEC Country’s Top Tennessee Prospect of the Week.

The quarterback from Elberton High School (Elbert County, Ga.) carried the ball 35 times for 301 yards and two touchdowns in a 17-7 win over Central High School (Carrollton, Ga.). The 5-foot-10, 175-pound Hardman has yet to announce where he’ll play college football, but Tennessee is thought to be in strong contention. The 5-star athlete is also considering Georgia. Alabama, Ole Miss, Oregon and TCU are also in the running.

Hardman is the top-rated athlete prospect in the nation and the No. 3 prospect in Georgia.

Honorable Mention

Linebacker Daniel Bituli, who committed to Tennessee in July, had seven tackles including one for a loss in a 34-7 win over Huntingdon, according to MaxPreps.com. The 4-star prospect from Christian High School (Nashville, Tenn.) was also named a Mr. Football finalist Monday, according to The Tennessean’s Sam Brown. The 6-4, 230-pound linebacker has 58 tackles, including 19 for a loss and 3½ sacks this season. He has also forced four fumbles. On offense, Bituli has 155 rushing yards and four touchdowns. He is rated the No. 14 outside linebacker in the nation and the No. 2 prospect in Tennessee. Bituli primarily considered Ole Miss and Auburn before choosing the Vols.

Running back Carlin Fils-Aime has no problem turning in big plays. He carried the ball only twice Friday but ran for 103 yards and a touchdown and caught another pass for a score, according to the Tom Corwin of the Naples News Press. Naples High (Naples, Fla.) beat Estero High (Estero, Fla.) 58-0. The 4-star tailback committed to Tennessee in July over Miami and Auburn. Fils-Aime is rated the No. 10 tailback in the nation and the No. 40 prospect in Florida.